Northampton Saints returned to winning ways in the Gallagher Premiership with an impressive 41-30 victory over Saracens at Franklin’s Gardens.
James Ramm bagged a brace, while Alex Coles, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme got on the scoresheet as the hosts secured all five points to increase their lead over Bath at the top of the table with just four games remaining.
As for Saracens, the defeat means they stay third, although they could finish the weekend behind Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins and out of the play-off places.
The two teams came into the contest on the back of very different results.
But it was Saints who started by far the brighter and deservedly went ahead when Coles was put through a gap in the fifth minute.
The pressure kept coming. An incredible run from Sleightholme looked certain to result in another try before he was hauled down. His offload found Ramm, who was awarded the score after a lengthy TMO check as Northampton moved 14-0 clear.
Sarries hit back through Theo McFarland’s charge-down in the 19th minute and were within a score at 17-10 down at the break but were always chasing the game and could never restore parity.
Ramm’s second was cancelled out by Ben Earl’s charge down in the 55th minute but Saints soon moved out of sight.
Freeman made it 34-20 before Sleightholme pounced on an Owen Farrell error to run in Northampton’s fifth and put the result beyond doubt.
Two late tries by Alex Lewington earned Saracens a losing bonus point, which could yet prove pivotal in the battle to make the play-offs, but the celebrations were rightly Northampton’s at the end of a thrilling encounter.
Leicester hang on to beat Newcastle
At Kingston Park, Leicester Tigers secured a much-needed victory over Newcastle Falcons to keep their play-off hopes intact.
It was a low-scoring affair but what it lacked in points, it made up for in drama. Nearly 20 minutes of additional time were required but eventually Leicester could celebrate a 19-13 win.
For Newcastle, it was an agonising way to extend their losing streak, but the signs are certainly encouraging.
An early Brett Connon penalty put the hosts ahead and Ben Redford finished off a brilliant Newcastle move in the 18th minute.
But tries from Jack van Poortvliet, making his first start since returning from injury, and Julian Montoya gave Leicester a 12-10 advantage at half-time.
Another Connon penalty gave Newcastle a slender advantage in the 65th minute but Ollie Hassell-Collins responded immediately to score what would ultimately prove to be the decisive try.
The result means Leicester are up to fifth for now, a point shy of Exeter in fourth, with another three games across the weekend, while Newcastle remain rooted to the bottom.
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